It was the year of TikTok and Temu. Amid rising prices, ugly influencer dramas and a revolving door of new releases, lattes and smudged looks took centre stage. But what were the best beauty products of 2023 - and, importantly, which ones will still be relevant in 2024?
If you’ve busted the bank to get your hands on a new release, hauled like a Hollywood star or binged on a new-to-you brand, you are bound to have discovered some favourites.
But, if you have been tightening the purse strings and need a post-Christmas excuse to splurge, here’s our hit list of what will still be hot from 2023’s head-turners.
We have chosen our top picks based on quality and value for money.
The best beauty products of 2023
Best Eyeshadow Palette
Metamorphic by Beauty Bay
This palette ticks all the right boxes for being bang on trend. It has duo chromes, a colour story to die for and an original palette design and packaging.
Only available from Beauty Bay, this eyeshadow collection retails for under £20. Shades are suitable for mixing and matching with pigments from other palettes, too.
Overall, Metamorphic is a versatile and good-looking addition to anyone’s makeup collection. Plus, it delivers excellent value for money.
Most Original Eyeshadow Palette
Gothic Beach by Jeffree Star
A high-gloss, treasure chest ‘trunk palette’, Gothic Beach screams ‘one off’. In fetching black and pink, with stud and piercing details, this 18-pan collection is inspired by the moment summer meets autumn. Its clash of shades takes you from the heat of August all the way through to the gloom of November.
The perfect launch ahead of halloween, it includes a high-quality mirror.
While not exactly on the cheap side at £54, it is a collector’s dream.
Best Blush
Go With The Flow cream blusher palette in Spring Fling by P.Louise
Easy to apply and blend, the five blushers in this palette are perfect for every occasion.
Sold in unique packaging, the formula is spot on.
This P.Louise offering will set you back £17 - a steal, if you want to use the shades on your lips as well.
Best Mascara
Thrill Seeker by Rimmel London
Dramatic in extreme black, this mascara is instantly volumising. It retails for under £10 (in many outlets) and is smudge-proof and long-lasting.
You need less coats to achieve a false lash effect with this mascara compared to a certain other 2023 launch.
Thrill Seeker mascara is available in waterproof and non-waterproof formulas.
Best Foundation
Collection Cosmetics Lasting Perfection Matte Foundation
With great coverage and a flawless finish, this foundation was hands-down the best foundation formula we tested this year.
Available in at least 20 shades, it retails for under £10 and sets like a dream. It is sold in a functional pump action bottle and stays in place for literally hours.
The only other product that came close was Catrice Cosmetics’ HD Liquid Coverage Foundation. It is very long-lasting but doesn’t quite deliver full coverage and has a dropper dispenser that does not suck up enough product.
Best Setting Powder
Beauty Pearl Honey Setting Powder by TUZ
This Temu product is very finely milled and sold in great packaging,with a well-made puff.
It’s cheap (usually under £3) and does the job.
Best Budget Makeup Primer
Sadoer Tri Colour Correcting Primer with SPF 50
Available from Temu and Amazon, this product retails from £2.50 upwards.
It has a light, fresh fragrance and is intensely moisturising.
As well as camouflaging redness, dark circles and breakouts, it provides a great base for foundation.
This makeup primer has a dewy finish. With added sunscreen, it is a must-try.
Best Makeup Setting Spray
Lasting Finish Fix and Go by Rimmel London
This Rimmel London setting spray is sold in a 100ml spray bottle. The nozzle is fine, providing even coverage.
Keeps makeup in place all day and retails at under £8.
Best Setting Spray Fan
Portable Mini Handheld Fan by Hianjoo
This fan has three speed settings and is USB rechargeable. It is sold with a non-slip base.
Retailing at between £4 and £8, it is well-made, dries setting spray in seconds and is a great size.
Best Makeup Sets
Makeup Revolution
With everything from lip kits to full face collections, this UK brand is still delivering when it comes to value.
Current must-buys are the Party Ready and Smokey Icon sets.
Best All In One Makeup Set
Best of Beauty Portfolio by Profusion Cosmetics
With 46 products in a palette that includes a large mirror, this makeup set delivers on all fronts.
The makeup is of an acceptable quality and the price is fantastic - anywhere between £8.99 and £18, depending where you shop.
As well as a great selection of eyeshadows, including foils, this set boasts blusher, bronzer, highlighter, eyeshadow primer, an eyelines, and two brushes.
Best Eyeliner
Scandaleyes by Rimmel London
This traditional pencil eyeliner offers precision, intense colour and a long-lasting finish.
Waterproof and smudge-proof, it is effortless to apply and retails for around £4.
Best Eye Serum
Caffeine 5% Solution by The Ordinary
This product removes puffiness and dark circles in minutes and costs under £10.
It offers great value and is highly effective.
Best Facial Oil
Brilliance by Emma Hardie
Sold in a 30ml dropper bottle, this facial oil feels fantastic on the skin and delivers multiple benefits.
Cheaper than Charlotte Tilbury’s facial oil, it smells divine and retails at around the £40 mark.
Best Cleansing Balm
Moringa Cleansing Balm by Emma Hardie
Super soft and relaxing, this cleansing balm removes every trace of makeup while offering a spa experience.
A treatment cleanser, it is hydrating, smoothing and toning.
This product is sold with a dual cleansing cloth for skin polishing.
Best Budget Moisturiser
Peach Glow by Boots
At under £5, Peach Glow is a bargain. It is a clear jelly moisturiser that can be used day or night.
It’s a great makeup primer, seals in a serum and leaves the skin feeling hydrated and looking radiant.
This is a great product to buy if you are looking for glowing skin and an instant blast of moisture.
Most Original Brand
P.Louise
It hasn’t been the best year for P.Louise. It managed to launch a major collaboration during its month-long Black Friday sale, hitting stock levels and deliveries. It also had issues with its advent calendar.
However, in spite of the scandals, its cosmetics remain in a class of their own.
The packaging, the palettes and some innovative products all add up to one totally unique brand.
Most Improved Brand
Technic
While you can still buy its boring train case makeup set and uninspiring palettes, Technic has taken a giant leap forward over the past 12 months.
It has entered the makeup sets arena with some well-designed bundles, including its Chocolate Truffle eye collection and Full Face gift set.
The branch has also come on leaps and bounds with its brush and skincare offerings.
Best Up And Coming Brand
The Beauty Crop
Delivering the future of cosmetics today, The Beauty Crop is the free-from brand taking the nasties out of cosmetics.
It has a growing number of products and, hopefully, that will increase in 2024.
With a few minor tweaks, this brand could skyrocket sales over the coming year.
Best Budget Brand
Makeup Revolution
For choice and price, there is currently nothing close in the UK. Makeup Revolution continues to knock the ball out of the park with exciting collaborations and the odd dupe.
Best Beauty Platform
Beauty Bay
Great choice, fast delivery and competitive prices are what makes Beauty Bay a great place to haul.
Put your best face forward in 2024
Whether you are watching the pennies, hankering after a completely fresh look or just want to discover what’s new, we think you will find products you will love from our Best Beauty Product of 2023.
Here’s to a truly beautiful coming year.
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